title: Predataxis behavior in Myxococcus xanthus.
abstract: Spatial organization of cells is important for both multicellular development and tactic responses to a changing environment. We find that the social bacterium, Myxococcus xanthus utilizes a chemotaxis (Che)-like pathway to regulate multicellular rippling during predation of other microbial species. Tracking of GFP-labeled cells indicates directed movement of M. xanthus cells during the formation of rippling wave structures. Quantitative analysis of rippling indicates that ripple wavelength is adaptable and dependent on prey cell availability. Methylation of the receptor, FrzCD is required for this adaptation: a frzF methyltransferase mutant is unable to construct ripples, whereas a frzG methylesterase mutant forms numerous, tightly packed ripples. Both the frzF and frzG mutant strains are defective in directing cell movement through prey colonies. These data indicate that the transition to an organized multicellular state during predation in M. xanthus relies on the tactic behavior of individual cells, mediated by a Che-like signal transduction pathway.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Iowa, 51 Newton Road, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
authors.forename: James E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Berleman
authors.forename: Jodie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: Tatiana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chumley
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Kirby
mesh_terms: D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002465:Cell Movement; D002633:Chemotaxis / Q000502:physiology*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000502:physiology; D009154:Mutation; D016941:Myxococcus xanthus / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; C065626:FrzCD protein, Myxococcus xanthus